Residents and Staff Present a Crowd-Pleasing Production of Guys and Dolls at Heritage Pointe of Warren 

After weeks of rehearsals and anticipation, the curtain closed recently on a successful run of Guys and Dolls at Heritage Pointe of Warren, where residents and staff worked together to bring the musical to life before enthusiastic audiences. 

The production, presented in partnership with the Pulse Opera House in Warren, Indiana, drew roughly 500 audience members across three performances in the Heritage Pointe chapel. Residents –212 of them –filled seats during a Thursday afternoon performance designed especially for the community, while family members, friends and theater fans attended public shows Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. 

The musical featured a cast made up largely of Heritage Pointe residents age 55 and older, including Ken Zuk, who played gambler Benny Southstreet and opened the show singing “Fugue for Tinhorns” in three-part harmony.  

Even though Connie Price, 88, had never performed on stage before, she got a kick out of playing one of the “Hot Box Girls.”  

“I didn’t plan on auditioning,” she says. “But I went down to see what was going on, started talking and, all of a sudden, I was part of it. It was a lot of fun. I was very impressed with the people who came out. We have some excellent singers.” 

Doing something out of her comfort zone appealed to her, she says, adding that her children “were impressed that someone my age could do it.” 

Among those lending a hand behind the scenes was Lana Myers, a longtime hairstylist at Heritage Pointe who helped the “Hot Box Girls” don wigs for the performances.  

“They had long blonde wigs, and I just trimmed up their bangs for them and helped some of them get the wigs secured,” Myers said. “After a couple of them did it once, they were able to do it themselves, but a couple needed help.” 

Assisting backstage gave her a close-up view of the excitement among the performers. 

“Oh my, yes,” Myers says. “The girls just laughed and giggled every time they put them on their wigs and looked at each other. They had so much fun doing it. It was wonderful.” 

Myers has been doing hair for about five decades, including more than 45 years at Heritage Pointe during her current stint. These days she works Thursdays and Fridays in the community’s salon. 

Myers says the Thursday matinee for residents of Heritage Pointe  was especially meaningful, making them audience VIPs. 

“It was full,” she says “It was very well received. People loved it and applauded and laughed at the right times.” 

At the end of all the shows, audiences responded with a standing ovation, and every performer received a rose.  

For Myers, who also resides at Heritage Pointe, the collaboration highlighted what she appreciates most about the community. 

“The people are so nice. Everybody looks out for each other,” she says. “And the campus is beautiful.” 

With the success of Guys and Dolls, organizers hope the partnership between Heritage Pointe and the Pulse Opera House will continue with more productions in the future, giving residents another chance to step into the spotlight and the community another reason to come together.